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THE EFFECT OF FOOD PORTION SIZE ON THE WEIGHT STATUS OF SAUDI FEMALES OVER 18 YEARS OLD

Eman S Alamri

Objective: the current study aims to assess the correlation between the portion sizes of some energy-dense foods with weight status is Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 520 female university students at Tabuk University, Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia between September and December 2018. A four-day dietary record was used to estimate dietary intake over four consecutive days, including the weekend. Foods that contained more than 2.5 kcal per gram were considered energy-dense foods. Results: The results indicate that the portion size of energy-dense foods and beverages such as burgers, French fries, biscuits, chocolate confectionery, soft drinks, and canned juices is positively associated with body mass index (BMI). In addition, the portion sizes of these foods were found to be significantly higher amongst obese and overweight individuals compared to normal-weight participants (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the portion size of energy-dense foods should be taken into account when planning for an intervention to improve food choice and public health outcomes. Keywords: portion size; weight status; energy-dense foods; Saudi female

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